Supporting framework

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a supporting framework having at least one suspension device for a diagonal cross brace that reinforces the supporting framework, wherein the suspension device has receiving fingers for openings provided on the ends of the diagonal cross brace, characterized in that two first receiving fingers of the suspension device each have a bent end portion, and second receiving fingers situated opposite from the first receiving fingers have a pivotable end portion.

In supporting frameworks for supporting ceilings, work platforms, formwork components in concrete construction, or the like, diagonal cross braces are often inserted between the frame parts of the framework in order for the framework to obtain the required static properties, or to connect various frame parts to one another.

Thus far, for fastening the diagonal cross braces, suspension devices have been provided at the frame parts of the framework, each suspension device being made up of four fingers, having a tiltable or pivotable end portion, that protrude from the frame parts. For this purpose, openings are provided at the ends of the struts of the diagonal cross braces and are pushed over the fingers. The end portions of the four fingers are subsequently pivoted, so that the ends of the struts of the diagonal cross brace can no longer slide down from the receiving fingers on their own, and the diagonal cross brace is securely anchored to the framework.

However, simultaneously placing the openings at the four ends of the struts of the diagonal cross brace on the receiving fingers is difficult. In addition, during pivoting of the end portion of a receiving finger by hand, other ends of the diagonal cross brace may slide off the receiving fingers. For this reason, securely installing a diagonal cross brace by one person has thus far been possible, if at all, only with difficulty.

To simplify the installation of diagonal cross braces, the invention proposes a supporting framework having at least one suspension device for a diagonal cross brace that reinforces the supporting framework, wherein the suspension device has receiving fingers for openings provided on the ends of the diagonal cross brace, and two first receiving fingers of the suspension device each have a bent end portion, and second receiving fingers situated opposite from the first receiving fingers have a pivotable end portion.

Providing two of the four receiving fingers, necessary for fastening a diagonal cross brace, with rigid, bent end portions significantly simplifies the installation of a diagonal cross brace, while not impairing the secure fastening of the diagonal cross brace.

Each end of the two struts of the diagonal cross brace may be suspended via its opening in the first receiving fingers having bent end portions, and the openings at the other ends of the struts may in each case be pushed over one of the second receiving fingers having a pivotable end portion before the end portions of the second receiving fingers are pivoted for securing the diagonal cross brace. Thus, the upper or lower ends of the diagonal cross brace may be initially suspended in the first receiving fingers. The bent end portions ensure that the ends of the cross brace do not slide off the first receiving fingers while the opposite ends of the cross braces are being pushed onto the second receiving fingers. In addition, the end portions of the second fingers may subsequently be easily pivoted without the diagonal cross brace sliding off the first receiving fingers. In this way, a diagonal cross brace may be easily installed by one person.

The openings in the free end regions of the diagonal cross braces, as passage openings, each have a diameter that is smaller than the extension or size of the receiving fingers, whose dimensions are formed by a base portion and an end portion.

The bent end portions of the first receiving fingers may preferably form an angle of 20° to 70° with a base portion of the receiving fingers. The bent end portion is rigidly and immovably connected to the base portion. This angular range allows the diagonal cross brace ends to be easily suspended, and at the same time allows the ends to be sufficiently secured after being suspended.

In contrast, the end portions of the second receiving fingers may preferably be pivotable between a position that is parallel to a base portion of the receiving fingers and a position that is essentially perpendicular to the base portion. In the position that is parallel to the base portion, the ends of the diagonal cross brace struts may be easily pushed onto the second receiving fingers. After the end portions are pivoted into the 90° position, the diagonal cross brace is secured to the framework.

Further advantages result when the end portions of the second receiving fingers are lockable in the two end positions. This may be achieved via a detent mechanism, for example. When the diagonal cross brace ends are pushed onto the second receiving fingers, undesirable shifting of the end portions of the fingers, which could hinder the pushing-on operation, may thus be avoided. In addition, due to such locking it is more difficult for the lock of the diagonal cross brace to be unintentionally released.

The end portions of the first and second receiving fingers may also conically taper toward the outside in order to facilitate pushing on the diagonal cross brace ends.

In one preferred embodiment of the supporting framework, the supporting framework may be made up of multiple frames, each of which is provided with at least one suspension device for a diagonal cross brace. By connecting a plurality of these frames, which may also have different sizes, the supporting framework may be adapted to the intended purpose, wherein diagonal cross braces may be mounted on each frame at which this is necessary. It is also possible in each case for two frames to be connected to one another by a diagonal cross brace. It is also advantageous when the first and second receiving fingers of the suspension device are each situated in the corner regions of a frame. In this way, the diagonal cross braces may exert the optimal supporting force on the frames.

The frames may also be assembled or put together rotated by 180°. When the frames are rotated by 180°, the receiving fingers having a rigid, bent end portion are situated at the top, and the receiving fingers having a movable, pivotable end portion are situated at the bottom. With speed and increased safety, the diagonal cross braces that reinforce the supporting framework may be initially threaded through at the top and suspended, and the lower openings in the region of the free ends of the diagonal cross braces are subsequently pivoted into the lower receiving fingers having the movable end portions, and at that location are secured in position via the movable end portions. For this purpose, the end portions are pivoted into a position that covers the openings of the diagonal cross braces and reliably prevents the diagonal cross braces from being pulled off these receiving fingers.

One preferred exemplary embodiment of a frame of a supporting framework according to the invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a frame of a supporting framework according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of a first receiving finger of the frame from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed illustration of a second receiving finger of the frame from FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows parts of a supporting framework during assembly, with two diagonal cross braces inserted according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of a frame with a receiving finger and a bent rigid end portion;

FIG. 6 shows a partial detail of a supporting framework during assembly, with a frame that has the receiving fingers with bent end portions at the bottom, and has receiving fingers with movable end portions at the top; and

FIG. 7 shows a partial detail of a supporting framework during assembly, with a frame illustrated in portions, having the receiving fingers with rigid, bent end portions at the top, and having receiving fingers with movable end portions at the bottom.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a frame 10 of a supporting framework, not illustrated here in greater detail, which may be assembled from a plurality of frames 10, or also from other frames that are higher, for example.

The frame 10 has two side tubes 12, 14 that are connected to one another by two transverse tubes 16, 18. The side tubes 12, 14 at their ends may be screwed to tubes of further frames 10 (not shown) and/or plugged together.

In addition, first receiving fingers 20, 22 are mounted on the side tubes 12, 14, respectively, in their lower region, and second receiving fingers 24, 26 for fastening a diagonal cross brace (not shown) are mounted in an upper region. The four ends, provided with openings, of a diagonal cross brace may be suspended in these receiving fingers 20 through 26. For this purpose, the lower ends of the diagonal cross brace are initially threaded into the first receiving fingers 20, 22 and suspended, and the upper ends of the diagonal cross brace are then pushed onto the second receiving fingers 24, 26. The diagonal cross brace is subsequently secured in position on the receiving fingers 24, 26. Securing the position is described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detailed illustration of the first receiving finger 20. The first receiving finger has a rigidly extending end portion 20.1 that is bent downwardly with respect to a base portion 20.2. An opening in the lower end of one of the struts of a diagonal cross brace may thus be suspended from below via the end portion 20.1 and held on the base portion 20.2. Due to the bent shape of the end portion 20.1, the strut may be prevented from unintentionally coming off when a light force is exerted on the diagonal cross brace from above. The suspension of the lower end of the second strut of the diagonal cross brace on the receiving finger 22 takes place concurrently or shifted in time with respect to the suspension of the first strut.

The upper ends of the struts of the diagonal cross brace may subsequently be pushed onto the second receiving fingers 24, 26. The configuration of the second fingers 24, 26 is explained using the example of the finger 24 in FIG. 3. The receiving finger 24 has an end portion 24.1 that is articulatedly supported on a base portion 24.2. The end portion 24.1 may thus be brought from a position parallel to the base portion 24.2 into the illustrated position bent by 90°. When the end portion 24.1 is aligned in parallel with the base portion 24.2, both portions form a long finger onto which the upper end of one of the struts of a diagonal cross brace may be pushed via an opening. The end portion 24.1 is subsequently pivoted into the 90° position, and the strut is thus locked in the receiving finger 24. In the same way, the upper end of the second strut of the diagonal cross brace is pushed onto the receiving finger 26 and locked by same. Due to the lock, the end portion 24.1 protrudes beyond the diameter of the opening. In other words, the end portion overhangs the opening and blocks the diagonal cross brace from being pulled off the receiving fingers 24, 26.

The frame structure shown in FIG. 1, having first and second receiving fingers 20 through 26, allows a diagonal cross brace to be fastened to the frame 10 by only one person. In addition, the fastening process for the diagonal cross brace is much easier and quicker than with frames according to the prior art having four lockable, movable receiving fingers. The pushing on and suspension of the ends of the diagonal cross brace is also facilitated due to the fact that the end portions 20.1, 24.1 of the receiving fingers 20 through 26 conically taper toward the ends.

FIG. 4 shows parts of a supporting framework 40 during assembly, which is made up of four frames 10 in the assembly state shown. The four frames 10 on one side are already reinforced with a first diagonal cross brace 42 having openings 43 on its free ends. The first diagonal cross brace 42 is attached via receiving fingers 20, 22, not shown in FIG. 4, having rigid end portions, and is likewise attached in receiving fingers 24 and 26, as shown in FIG. 1, and secured via the movable end portions. The attached frames 10 are connected to one another via a second diagonal cross brace 44 by attaching the openings 43 in the second diagonal cross brace 44 to the receiving fingers 20, 24. Two diagonal cross braces are subsequently likewise installed (not shown in the figure) opposite from the shown first and second diagonal cross braces 42, 44 in order to reinforce the supporting framework 40 so that it is stable under load.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of a frame 10 together with a side tube 12 of the frame 10, likewise shown in detail. The receiving finger 20 is fixedly mounted on the side tube 12. The receiving finger is made up of a base portion 20.2 and an end portion 20.1. The end portion 20.1 is bent, preferably integrally formed on the base portion 20.2, at an angle between 20° and 70°. The free end of the first diagonal cross brace 42 having the opening 43 is threaded onto the base portion 20.2 via the rigid, bent end portion 20.1. Likewise provided on the opposite end of a strut of the first diagonal cross brace 42 is an opening 43 that is pushed onto a receiving finger having a movable end portion.

FIG. 6 shows a partial detail in the assembly of a supporting framework having a frame 10, showing the receiving fingers 20, 24. The receiving fingers 20 with bent end portions are formed on the frame in the lower region, and the receiving fingers 24 with movable end portions 24.1 are fastened in the upper region of the frame 10. The receiving fingers 20, 24 are formed on the side tube 12 and are fastened at that location. FIG. 6 shows how a worker 50 places a first diagonal cross brace 42 on the frame 10 having the receiving fingers 20, 24 according to the invention. The first diagonal cross brace 42 having the openings 43 is first threaded onto the base portion 20.2 at an angle via the rigid end portions, not shown in the figure, of the receiving finger 20. When the first diagonal cross brace 42 is threaded with its free ends onto both receiving fingers 20, it may be attached in the receiving fingers 24 having the movable end portions 24.1. The free ends of the first diagonal cross brace 42 are pushed onto the particular base portion 24.2 via the openings 43, and the movable end portion 24.1 is subsequently pivoted in such a way that it overhangs the openings 43 and secures the positioned location of the first diagonal cross brace 42. With the shown configuration of receiving fingers 20, 24 on the frame 10, a worker 50 can safely mount the first diagonal cross brace 42 and further diagonal cross braces on the frame for a supporting framework, without assistance from other persons.

FIG. 7 shows a partial detail in the assembly of a supporting framework, together with a frame 10, shown in detail, having receiving fingers 20 with rigid, bent end portions 20.1 in the upper region of the frame 10, and having receiving fingers 24 with movable end portions in the lower region of the frame 10. The frame 10 shown in FIG. 7 is rotated by 180° compared to the frame of FIG. 1, and this figure shows how a first diagonal cross brace 42 may be suspended in receiving fingers 20 in the upper part of a frame 10. The first diagonal frame 42 is threaded onto the base portion 20.2 via the rigid, bent end portion 20.1, and is subsequently pivoted onto the receiving fingers 24. The openings 43 in the first diagonal cross brace 42 are pushed onto the receiving fingers 24, and the position of the first diagonal cross brace 42 is subsequently secured by pivoting the movable end portion. 

1. Supporting framework having at least one suspension device for a diagonal cross brace (42, 44) that reinforces the supporting framework (40), wherein the suspension device has receiving fingers (20 through 26) for openings (43) provided on the ends of the diagonal cross brace (42, 44), characterized in that two first receiving fingers (20, 22) of the suspension device each have a bent end portion (20.1), and second receiving fingers (24, 26) situated opposite from the first receiving fingers have a pivotable end portion (24.1).
 2. Supporting framework according to claim 1, characterized in that each end of the two struts of the diagonal cross brace (42, 44) is suspendable via its opening (43) in the first receiving fingers (20, 24) having bent end portions (20.1), and the openings (43) at the other ends of the struts may in each case be pushed over one of the second receiving fingers (24, 26) having a pivotable end portion (24.1) before the end portions (24.1) of the second receiving fingers (24, 26) are pivoted for securing the diagonal cross brace (42, 44).
 3. Supporting framework according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bent end portions (20.1) of the first receiving fingers (20, 22) form an angle of 20° to 70° with a base portion (20.2) of the receiving fingers (20, 22).
 4. Supporting framework according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portions (24.1) of the second receiving fingers (24, 26) are pivotable between a position that is parallel to a base portion (24.2) of the receiving fingers (24, 26) and a position that is essentially perpendicular to the base portion (24.2).
 5. Supporting framework according to claim 4, characterized in that the end portions (24.1) are lockable in the two end positions.
 6. Supporting framework according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end portions (20.1, 24.1) of the first and second receiving fingers (20 through 26) conically taper toward the outside.
 7. Supporting framework according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it may be assembled from multiple frames (10), each of which is provided with at least one suspension device for a diagonal cross brace (42, 44).
 8. Supporting framework according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and second receiving fingers (20 through 26) of the suspension device are each situated in the corner regions of a frame (10). 